With President Joe Biden set to give his State of the Union address, fencing has been reinstalled around the Capitol in an effort to ramp up security with potential threats of truck-convoy protests, a report says.
Biden’s first State of the Union address is set for March 1, and in preparation, fencing is being installed next week due to worries of rallies forming like those seen in Canada, Fox News reported.
The U.S. Capitol police also shared a press release about increasing security measures before the speech.
“The United States Capitol Police and the United States Secret Service have been closely working together to plan for the upcoming State of the Union,” the press release read.
The Great American Patriot Project is planning three convoys of truck drivers to drive to Washington, D.C., next month after forming protests against COVID-19-related restrictions and mandates in numerous American cities, the New York Post reported.
Regarding the White House response to potential protests during the State of the Union address, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said earlier this month that “everybody can peacefully protest.”
Related
Fencing was put in place outside the Capitol the day after the Jan. 6 insurrection when 7-foot-tall fences were erected around the building and stood for months. The fencing wasn’t removed until July and then reinstalled for a day in September before a planned rally supporting the Jan. 6 rioters.
Now the fencing will be in place around the Capitol as possible truck convoy demonstrations take place.
“Law enforcement agencies across the National Capital Region are aware of plans for a series of truck convoys arriving in Washington, DC around the time of the State of the Union,” Capitol Police said Friday in a statement.
The statement went on to mention the U.S. Capitol Police’s role in helping “facilitate lawful First Amendment activity.”
“The USCP is closely coordinating with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, including DC’s Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Park Police, the United States Secret Service and other allied agencies to include the DC National Guard,” the statement read.
Along with the added fencing, all 535 Congress members will not be allowed to bring guests and will have to submit a negative COVID-19 within 24 hours of the event and wear a high-quality mask throughout the event.
Related
